AsanaCycles

simple documentation
this is the kind of stuff I've been talking about.
for a while, I've carried my digi cam in a frame bag
or use a Hero Cam

check this out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJmxC...layer_embedded

(here on bikeforum.net, you can't embed?)

Amani576

That's awesome. I'm glad stuff like that, stuff that matters to cycling (other than beating dead horses over helmets) is getting on the news. Good sign.
Thanks for that.
-Gene-

And I'm pretty sure it's paid-members only who can embed.

AsanaCycles

thats laffs...
"you have to pay to get embed"

rumrunn6

good job, I wish our local news stations would do a PSA for cyclists now that spring is here, but all they want is stories about death and injury to help sell cars

Caspar_s

Some of those didn't look too close - but that is what video lenses do. Should have had video of a car passing at 3 feet to show the difference. Also makes him look all worked up while riding though of course that's multiple incidents over many days - probably as many as I have - although I mainly get people pulling out in front of me or doing boneheaded things like that.

Edit:
Oh and when I hear a snowplow I get right off the road - so he can plow where I am riding, not 3 feet out into the road. I am not sure what the cop was trying to say about that - not riding in snow or complaining because the snowplow didn't move enough over.

rumrunn6

I just wrote to 5 local Boston TV stations suggesting similar news stories because we bicycle commuters can use whatever courtesy we can get.

rumrunn6

Sorry but riding while they are snow plowing is just dumb.

Schwinnrider

There were plenty of illegal passes there. I don't blame him for getting "all worked up". But then again, I was hit by a moron who passed too closely. I now take more lane than the guy in the video. If he took more lane he would FORCE motorists to pass him like a vehicle.

I have a "Flash Flag" mounted to my left seatstay. It seems to cause motorists to give me even more room when they pass. I've often thought a similar flag on a three foot long spring mounted pole would do the trick. Preferably with a nice sharp nail affixed to the tip.

rumrunn6

I use a standard bike flag like what is used on recumbent bikes and kids bikes. I get some smiles on bike trails but on the commute it definitely gets me a few more inches of courtesy, plus they can see me in traffic when they can't see my hi-vis jersey. I also use strobes front and rear. I think you get more room if you look a little amateurish and that someone who looks too good is prejudiced against. There's a lot of envy out there in the world.

Yellowbeard

During the winter, you mean? I disagree. Not avoiding them, however, seems more than a little foolhardy. You can hear them a mile away if the plow's on the asphalt. Not that hard to get out of the way for 60 seconds or less.


I guess the guy never uses the drops.

degnaw

I personally find riding in the snow 100x more fun than riding on dry asphalt. That said, when I see a plow coming up behind me, I either 1) get off the bike and lift it to the sidewalk, or 2) move into the oncoming lane (if there's a ditch at the edge of the road and its safe)

jtarver

I've actually ridden around Whitefish Bay, it's an upper income area of Milwaukee. Strangely enough, I got buzzed a lot there, even though the roads are quite wide and there are adequate bike lanes in most areas(I was on River Road). Not a huge surprise, since I notice about 90% of people that pass too close are in luxury car/SUV. Otherwise I found Milwaukee to be a pretty bike friendly town with lots of nice bike paths, and flat,too! The guy in the video is "allowing" people to buzz him by riding the line. Whether you're in a bike lane or the shoulder riding the line is bad policy, motorists perceive the line as separation enough(which it is when dealing with other autos). Use the bike lane correctly, or take the lane and get heckled. Like the cop said, is it worth it to be "lawful" and end up under someones wheels? I've been thinking about wearing a sign on my back that says "LEPER" to see if people will give a bit more space.

seenoweevil

It takes common courtesy on both sides and that is sorely lacking in many people. I would have moved off the road as well so the plow could continue.
The guy in the video at first seems very adversarial, until he mentions that most people give him a wide berth, and the close calls occur over many miles of riding. He is pretty much on the shoulder, which is where I ride as well as a courtesy to the motorists using the same roads I'm on. Some get it, some don't. There will always be idiots on the road. It's good to see someone trying to educate without being too confrontational, but willing to take a stand with proof in hand if necessary.

Hot Potato

I feel sorry for that guy. He rides on some roads that are not well suited for cars and bikes "sharing" the road. Remeber, to an auto driver, "sharing" means not having to slow down.

VeloBusDriver

I was glad to hear that the police were actually issuing tickets to at least one driver featured in the video. Also, the classes being taught to officers on bike laws is a positive step.

When we hear of such things we really should be writing commendation letters to the departments.

ItsJustMe

If I got that many close passes, I'd just mount a 3 foot flash flag with a bit of jagged steel on the end of it. They pass too close, they key their own doors. SCRREEEEEEECH!

Yeah, when the snow plow comes, you get the hell out of its way. I do so even when driving a car if I am going slower than the plow needs to go to do its job. Plows have to maintain speed to work properly.

mikewille

I ride up the curb out of the street when snowplows approach me from behind.
Sometimes even get a brief nod or wave of acknowledgement, so i know the driver appreciates it.

capejohn

I have seen this before, and it's the guy who was out riding in a snowstorm not to get somewhere but to make a point. Originally, I was on his side. Now I'm not so sure.

Personally he seems very angry and I wonder if he welcomes this stuff. He may not, but that's the impression I have developed over the past few months.

ryanwood

This story makes it seem like the rider is just riding where he is so he can take videos of bad drivers. Even the police officer makes a note that while he is riding legally he is riding stupidly. He is riding on the white line, which IMHO is a really stupid place to ride, either take the lane or get on the shoulder. When I ride on the line I get buzzed a lot more than if I go ahead and take the lane. He seems to be really concerned that he is within his legal rights so if he ends up dead it will be the drivers fault. No offense but that's just dumb, who cares who's fault it is when your the one who isn't coming home.

JinbaIttai

I'd like to see an undercover cop riding a bike with hidden cameras and one of those laser lane marker thingys turned on. Whenever a car passes the laser line, the camera photographs the license plate and a citation is automatically mailed.

Now that would cause some outrage but it would be sweet!

stevo9er

People keep talking about how riding the line is a bad idea. I disagree... Anyone who has cycled in different towns on main roads should know that the closer to the curb the more debris there is. Often times the line is more smooth too. In any case drivers need to give 3' to the cyclist not the line.

Schwinnrider

The point is to ride TO THE LEFT of the line, not the right. Riding the line is a bad idea because it encourages drivers to pass without leaving their lane. I take LOTS of lane, especially since I was hit by a mirror precisely because I was too far to the right.

ItsJustMe

While it's true that drivers SHOULD give three feet to the left of the cyclist, anecdotal evidence has been said to indicate that drivers tend to give you as much room as you give yourself. If you ride 6 inches from the white line, they'll tend to give you little room as well. If you move out so you're a couple of feet from the white line, they'll tend to give you more room.

lil brown bat

Speaking for myself, I'm just as happy to have cops in uniform riding. Saw a pair of Boston's finest cruising through the South End the other day...yeah, you bet the drivers get respectful in a hurry.

dervish

great stuff